עֵלִי

Eli

boyHebrewJewishChristian

Eli is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Ascended, uplifted”.

MeaningAscended, uplifted
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asעֵלִי
PronunciationEE-lye
TraditionJewish, Christian
Used inUnited States, Israel, Canada, United Kingdom

Meaning and origin of Eli

Eli is the priest of Shiloh in 1 Samuel who raised the young prophet Samuel. His Hebrew name ʿEli comes from a root meaning 'to go up', so it is explained as 'ascended' or 'high'. Separately, Eli is used as a short form of names beginning with El-, such as Elijah and Elias, and in Hebrew eli also means 'my God'. It is popular today in English-speaking countries and Israel.

Is Eli a Jewish name?

Eli is a biblical name shared by Jews and Christians, linked mainly to the priest Eli, Samuel's teacher.

How popular is Eli?

Popular for boys in North America and common in Israel.

Gifts with the name Eli

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Spellings and variants of Eli

ElyElieEliyahu

Names similar to Eli

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Eli mean?

Eli means 'Ascended, uplifted'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Eli a Jewish name?

Eli is a biblical name shared by Jews and Christians, linked mainly to the priest Eli, Samuel's teacher.

How do you pronounce Eli?

Eli is pronounced EE-lye.

Is Eli a boy or girl name?

Eli is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.